From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
-
Conservation genetics is
a science that aims to apply
genetic methods to deal with
the maintenance, loss, and
restoration of biodiversity.
Researchers involved in
conservation genetics come from a
variety of fields including
population genetics,
molecular ecology and
biology,
evolutionary biology, and
systematics. A short list of
studies a conservation geneticist
may research include:
-
Phylogenetic classification
of species, subspecies,
geographic races, and
populations, and measures of
phylogenetic diversity and
uniqueness.
- Identifying
hybrid species,
hybridization in natural
populations, and assessing the
history and extent of
introgression between species.
- Population genetic structure
of natural and managed
populations, including
identification of
Evolutionary Significant Units
(ESUs) and management units for
conservation.
- Assessing genetic variation
within a species or population,
including small or
endangered populations, and
estimates such as effective
population size (Ne).
- Measuring the impact of
inbreeding and
outbreeding depression, and
the relationship between
heterozygosity and measures of
fitness (see
Fisher's fundamental theorem of
natural selection).
- Evidence of disrupted mate
choice and
reproductive strategy in
disturbed populations.
-
Forensic applications,
especially for the control of
trade in endangered species.
- Practical methods for
monitoring and maximizing
genetic diversity during captive
breeding programs and
re-introduction schemes,
including mathematical models
and case studies.
- Conservation issues related
to the introduction of
genetically modified organisms.
- The interaction between
environmental contaminants and
the biology and health of an
organism, including changes in
mutation rates and
adaptation to local changes
in the environment (e.g.
industrial melanism).
- New techniques for
noninvasive genotyping.
References
- John C Avise, James L
Hamrick (eds) Conservation
Genetics Springer
ISBN 0412055813
